Questions over closing Gitmo

Nation & World Report

November 16, 2009|By Julian Barnes, Tribune Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration took an important step toward closing the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, when it announced plans Friday to prosecute the accused Sept. 11 conspirators in the United States. But the move also underscored the near certainty that President Barack Obama will miss a self-imposed January deadline for shuttering the controversial facility.

Five detainees -- including self-proclaimed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be tried in federal court in New York. But the plans leave unsettled the fate of more than 200 remaining detainees, who represent the biggest obstacle to closing the prison.

Five of those men, U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder said Friday, will be prosecuted by military tribunals. And, military officials said, dozens of the remaining detainees have been approved for transfer to other countries.

But finding secure facilities to hold them in places where they won't be tortured has proved difficult. Just as big a problem will be detainees who officials say cannot be released or transferred because potentially they may be dangerous.

The Obama administration has concluded it will have to hold some detainees long-term, without trial. The question is where.

"Best of luck trying to finding an American (town) that would be comfortable with the idea (of holding the detainees)," said Jena Baker McNeill, a homeland security analyst with the conservative Heritage Foundation. Even with a willing host community, however, the obstacles are daunting. Current law forbids the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo to the U.S.

Lawmakers have said they will not lift that ban until the administration presents them with a site.